Non-hemic autoimmunity in CLL.
Non-hemic autoimmune complications of chronic lymphocytic leukemia are very rare compared to autoimmune haemolytic anemia, which occurs in between 10% and 20% of patients and immune thrombocytopenia, which occurs in between 1% and 2% of patients. A clear relationship has only been established with three non-hemic syndromes: acquired angioedema, glomerulonephritis and paraneoplastic pemphigus. The first is a result of a secreted product of the tumor, but the last two seem to be a product of the disordered immune system, and may be triggered by treatment with purine analogues suggesting a mechanism involving regulatory T cells. Apart from Herpes Zoster infections, neurological syndromes are rare in CLL and most have been attributed to either leukemic infiltration of the CNS or progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.
Hamblin
Terry J
TJ
D000799:Angioedema / Q000209:etiology; D015551:Autoimmunity; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology*; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000209:etiology